Naby Keita: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Southampton all rejected by Bundesliga’s latest star in summer
Midfielder has scored three goals for second-place RB Leipzig this season and claims he snubbed offers from England
THE Bundesliga’s latest star Naby Keita claims he turned down offers from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Southampton over the summer.
Keita was strongly linked with a Premier League move after impressing at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg before completing a £12million switch to Red Bull Leipzig.
Arsene Wenger personally got in touch trying to convince the 21-year-old to join him at the Emirates, but the lure of first-team football in Germany was too good to turn down.
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Keita confirmed: “Arsenal, Manchester City and Southampton were all interested in signing me, and Liverpool as well – although I did not speak with their coach.
“I did not want to join a big Champions League club right away. It is too early for that. I want to prove myself in the Bundesliga first now.”
Keita’s decision appears to be justified after helping RBL to second in the Bundesliga table, just two points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
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The Guinea international has also helped himself to three goals, and his fine form is sure to lead from more interest in the future.
And Keita reckons his confident performances are all down to RBL’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick, who is in the running to replace Sam Allardyce as England’s next permanent boss.
Keita said earlier this season: “Rangnick has treated me like a son. He came to France in 2014 to sign me for Salzburg and I trust him entirely.”